Vizianagaram: Attaullah Shariff Shataj Khadiri Baba, popularly known as “Biryani Baba”, has been feeding biryani to the poor for the decades  in Vizianagaram and Cheemalapadu of Krishna district.

When assessed, this comes to  to be around one crore people in the last 40 years. Mr Baba, 78, has continued the  legacy of his  guru Khadar Baba who  passed away 40 years ago.

Mr Baba, who shuttles between  Vizianagaram and  Cheemalapadu Dargah,  blesses the people who  believe in him and offers them anna prasada at  Langar Khana on the dargah premises.  Mr Baba himself participates in cooking the biryani.  Everyday, at least a thousand people eat in Cheemalapadu and Vizianagaram.

On the special days, the number touches  8,000 to 10,000. Two tonnes of good quality  Basmati rice and quintals of chicken and mutton and pure ghee is  used to cook the biryani. Vegetarian food is also cooked here.

Every year, Mr Baba organises a grand Ursu utsav at the Vizianagaram Dargah and is personally involved in   anna danam  organised for thousands of people  during the utsav.

This year, the utsav will be held on January 25. Mr Baba said, “I am just providing meals to the needy. With the help of donors and devotees, the programme continues smoothly.

I don’t believe in  religion or castes, I  appeal to the public to help the poor. I believe that  service to  humans is equal to service to God.”

K. Uday Bhaskar, a close associate and sevak of Mr Baba says, “Mr Baba will stay here for 15 days to organise the utsav. Around 8,000-10,000 people are expected to  have their meals here daily. Politicians and bureaucrats from north AP districts also visit the dargah to seek  his blessings.”

Mr Baba said, “I am just providing meals to the needy. With the help of donors and devotees, the programme continues smoothly. I don’t believe in  religion or castes, I  appeal to the public to help the poor. I believe that  service to  humans is equal to service to God.”
 
Y. Suresh a strong believer of Baba said, "I have been visiting him for the past ten years. Baba just provides food to the people who are very poor. I too lend a hand in the service."